2017
Overview
Tetrapeptides are peptides composed of four amino acids linked by peptide bonds, representing one of the smallest biologically active peptide structures capable of exerting physiological effects. Research published in Peptides has examined the neuroprotective and psychopharmacological properties of synthetic tetrapeptides, particularly those designed as homologues of naturally occurring hormone sequences. One investigated compound, designated KK-1, was engineered to mirror the amino acid sequence of adrenocorticotropic hormone fragment 15-18 and evaluated for antidepressant-like activity in experimental models. This work reflects broader scientific interest in how short peptide sequences derived from larger hormonal structures can retain or modify biological functions while offering potential advantages in stability, synthesis, and targeted activity. Tetrapeptides occupy an important position in peptide drug development because their small size allows for more straightforward synthesis and characterization compared to larger peptides, yet they remain large enough to interact specifically with biological receptors and signaling pathways. Understanding how specific tetrapeptide sequences influence neurological function contributes to the rational design of peptide-based therapeutics for neuropsychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, where conventional small-molecule drugs may have limitations in selectivity or efficacy.
Research published in this journal
1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
How this research is being cited
The 1 article above has been cited 2 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Oct 2025.
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I. Havrylov et al. · 2021 ·
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2021 · Ukrainian biopharmaceutical journal
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Tetrapeptide, linking to each citing work.